Based on the novel “Miyamoto Musashi” by Eiji Yoshikawa. It is the year 1600. A young man, Takezo, from the village of Miyamoto, signs up to fight in the Battle of Sekigahara. He is a lowly foot soldier who aspires to make a name for himself. Amidst the confusion, Takezo is captivated by the beautiful swordplay of a lone soldier from the Army of the East. That man’s name is Kojiro Sasaki, a man that Takezo deemed worthy of being his lifelong rival. When Takezo goes back to the village, his life becomes one filled with persecution.

After four years of being incarcerated, Takezo is freed and the lord of the castle, Terumasa Ikeda, together with Priest Takuan, gives him a new name, Musashi Miyamoto, as he embarks on a journey to improve his sword skills. Musashi begins to travel for warrior training. He meets many masters of the sword and grows as a person.

Eddy Yamasaki of Honolulu is a Sansei (third generation Japanese American). His grandparents immigrated to Hawai‘i from Hiroshima. During World War II, he fought for America as a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The war ended when the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, his grandparents’ hometown.

At the age of 89, Yamasaki visited Hiroshima for the first time to learn about his roots and asks, “What made my grandparents decide to come to Hawai‘i?”

“Manzanar Fishing Club,” Thursday, Jan. 1, at 8:30 p.m.

“The Manzanar Fishing Club” is a feature length documentary that chronicles the World War II internment of Japanese Americans from a unique perspective: through the eyes of those who defied the armed guards, barbed wire and searchlights to fish for trout in the surrounding waters of the Eastern Sierra mountains. This is a story that pays tribute to the heart and soul of the human spirit. It is the personal stories of individuals confined behind barbed wire whose liberty may be taken away but never their love of nature, beauty and joy of fishing.

The producer and writer have filmed a special introduction and new segment exclusively for NGN this new year. Fully subtitled in Japanese.

“Jinsei no Rakuen,” premieres on Friday, Jan. 2, at 6:45 p.m.

What do you plan to do after retirement? Everyone needs a purpose in life. “Jinsei no Rakuen” helps viewers find the “great lifestyle.” Many people would like to live differently and enjoy a happy life filled with satisfaction after years of hard work. Meet people who have realized their dream after retirement. You will be inspired.

In the premiere episode, the MC Toshiyuku Nishida shows his hometown Fukushima and introduces you to two couples striving to recover after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Fully subtitled in English.

“Roosevelt Game,” premieres on Friday, Jan. 2, at 8:30 p.m.

“The most exciting baseball game score is 8 to 7!” That’s what former U.S. President Roosevelt once said.

Aoshima Works is a medium-size company. Forced to navigate the turbulent waves of an unforeseen recession, fierce competition, and on the brink of bankruptcy, the company strives to survive by orchestrating a miracle reversal called the “Roosevelt Game.” Written by Jun Ikeido, author of the best-selling novel, “Hanzawa Naoki.” A comeback story for all workers who never-say-die. Fully subtitled in English.

“Jiji Hodan,” premieres on Sunday, Jan. 11, at 8:10 p.m.

Seasoned politicians appear on TBS’ early Sunday morning show “Jiji Hodan” as regular guests. “Jiji Hodan” has a reputation for getting politicians to reveal their “true intentions.” Moderated by Tokyo University Professor Takashi Mikuriya.

“Nobunaga Concerto,” premieres on Monday, Jan. 19, at 7:35 p.m.

“Nobunaga Concerto” centers around Saburo, an ordinary modern-day high school boy who excels in sports but never had any interest in his studies. One day he suddenly travels back in time to the Sengoku period of 1549, or the Warring States Era in Japan. There Saburo encounters young and sickly Nobunaga Oda who happens to look and sound just like Saburo. Both are shocked by their uncanny resemblance, but Saburo is even more shocked as the young Nobunaga asks Saburo to switch places with him and help people in Japan be united. Will Saburo succeed in his attempt to unify the country of Japan in spite of the “generation gap” across space and time? Gear up for the battle of the warlords! This out-of-this-world imaginative story is sure to keep you hooked throughout the entire course of the series. Fully subtitled in English.

NGN 3 MOVIE CHANNEL (Digital Ch. 679)

Premiere titles air on Friday. Movies are shown at various times. Check your digital on-screen guide for movie schedules, using either the GUIDE or INFO buttons (up to one week ahead). Or call NGN, Mon.-Fri. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 538-1966 for inquiries or to request an e-mail of NGN 3 programming information. All movies are in Japanese language with full English subtitles.

Directed by Tomio Kuriyama. Starring Toshiyuki Nishida and Rentaro Mikuni. The sixth film of the “Tsuribaka Nisshi” series. Su-san must give a lecture in far-off Iwate, which serves as another excuse for the company president and Hama-chan to go fishing. Once there, however, Hama-chan is mistaken for the company president and Su-san for his chauffeur! But Su-san is delighted at the mix-up: he gets to go fishing with a beautiful woman working at a local inn.

Directed by Sadao Nakajima. Starring Shima Iwashita and Masahiro Takeshima. The third episode of the new “Yakuza Ladies” series. Kanae, wife of the Fujinami family boss of Amagasaki, must represent the family after the sudden death of her husband.

Directed by Yasuo Furuhata. Starring Ken Takakura and Yukiyo Toake. A young leader of the Yamazaki family of Nagasaki, Takida (Ken Takakura) is an A-bomb survivor. He fiercely battles violent elements in southern Japan like there is no tomorrow.

The Lady Shogun rules the land in the wake of a devastating plague that has drastically reduced the male population during the late 1600’s. Gender roles are reversed with political leadership firmly in female hands, now served by prettified and solicitous male concubines to cater to their whims while tasked with siring the next generation of Edo elites. While the Shogun has ostensibly forsaken love to fulfill her role undistracted, 3,000 men compete for her favor and affections. One is determined to stand above the rest to further his own ambitions. Can each stay the course they’ve so carefully adhered to until now, or will real feelings get in the way of political power moves and socially-ascribed destinies?

Directed by Yoji Yamada. Starring Kiyoshi Atsumi and Chieko Baisho. Tora-san, an eccentric and resourceful tramp, is always cheerful. He believes he has a serious disease and returns to Hokkaido, his family’s origin. He lives in the home of his uncle and sister, causing chaos and trouble as usual. Tora-san agrees to go with her to an interview with the family of one of her suitors. But that is without counting Tora-san’s terrible clumsiness. His cheeky humor, for instance, is not fully appreciated by the family. The wedding is canceled and Tora-san takes the road again.

NGN3 Movies (in alphabetical order)
** For this month only, the director’s name, cast and film synopsis will not be printed.

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